India plans total ban on non-biodegradable plastic packaging

INDIA - The Indian government has introduced draft Plastic Waste management and handling legislation, that when implemented before the end of 2015, will ban all non-compostable or biodegradable plastic packaging.

The legislation, which is currently before the National Green Tribunal - the judicial body set up by Central Government for effective and speedy handling of legal cases relating to environmental protection - is aimed at improving plastic waste management systems.

In addition to banning non biodegradable product packaging, the legislation will restrict the manufacture and use of plastic carrying bags, ban the free distribution of plastic bags by retailers, govern the use of recycled plastic, and introduce an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system. The regulations also require municipal authorities to establish a plastic waste management system that must include the selective separation of waste.

India generates 5.6 million metric tons of plastic waste annually, with Delhi generating the most at municipality at 689.5 metric tons every day, according to a 2013 report from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). An estimated 9,205 metric tons per day (approximately 60% of total plastic waste) is collected and recycled; however according to the CPCB, “more than 6,137 metric tons per day remains uncollected and littered – it is a plastic time bomb!"

This story was first published in the May 2015 issue of Packaging Business Insight Asia.For more details and analysis:

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